Question

13. Use the scenario to answer the following questions:
Two skydivers of different masses jump from a plane. The skydivers have identical parachutes.
How does the force of gravity on the two skydivers compare?
(1 point)
O It depends on their speed.
It is the same on both skydivers.
It is greater on the heavier skydiver.
O It is greater on the lighter skydiver.
14. Use the scenario to answer the following questions:
Two skydivers of different masses jump from a plane. The skydivers have identical parachutes.
Both skydivers have identical parachutes. What effect does this have on their falls?
(1 point)
O Both skydivers experience the same air resistance and fall at the same speed.
Both skydivers experience the same air resistance but fall at different speeds due to their mass.
The heavier skydiver experiences less air resistance and falls slower.
The lighter skydiver experiences more air resistance and falls faster.

Answer 1

13. It is greater on the heavier skydiver.
- Gravity (weight) = mg, so the larger mass feels the larger gravitational force.

14. Both skydivers experience the same air resistance (for a given speed) but fall at different speeds due to their mass.
- Identical parachutes give the same drag vs. speed behavior. The heavier skydiver needs a larger drag to balance their greater weight, so they reach a higher terminal speed and fall faster than the lighter skydiver.